The new Savage Raider Team, which shares similarities to a Special Weapons and Tactics or SWAT team, held tryouts for 55th SFS members where they exhibited their skills in weapons, physical fitness, various law enforcement tools, and more.
“On other bases they’re known as EST (emergency services teams), but on Offutt we’re the Recon Raiders, so we named it the Savage Raider Team to give some uniqueness to our team,” said Master Sgt. Mark Riley, 55th SFS future operations section chief and SRT program lead. “Ultimately, the goal is to have Savage Raiders assigned to each flight as their own mobile patrol to deter adversaries and enhance capabilities on the installation.”
SRT will enhance emergency response and provide another tool in the law enforcement toolbox. Riley said an example in which SRT would be implemented would be a scenario where there is workplace violence.
“We will have the capabilities to mitigate it and also deter something like that from happening,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to have the team hostage negotiation certified, and Blue sUAS (small unmanned aerial surveillance drone) certified.”
Tryouts consisted of rigorous physical assessments at the Offutt Field House gym. Each candidate had to complete 50 pushups, 50 sit ups, five pull ups, a 400-meter weighted run, and a 50-meter buddy drag. Recruits were also evaluated on their shooting skills with M4 rifles and M18 handguns by Combat Arms Training and Maintenance trainers and instructors at the range. Finally, they took part in close-quarter battle (CQB) training where they demonstrated their skills in clearing rooms. Throughout the three-day trial, recruits also received classroom training where they learned mission planning, team building, among other skills.
Riley described the three-day event as laying the foundation for the team. Members selected for SRT will meet with each other and continue to train monthly.
Seventeen members tried out for the team, but only eight made it. While some members might not make the cut this time around, tryouts are expected to take place every quarter giving members an opportunity to still make the team. This will enable SRT to continue as the nature of military life may lead some members to be reassigned to a new base, deploy, or separate from military service.
“The Recon Raider motto is ‘Always Ready,’ and SRT helps us live up to that motto. Savage Raiders will help 55th SFS better protect the people and assets on Offutt during a variety of contingencies,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Ferguson, 55th SFS commander. “I’m proud of the partnership we have with the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office and Bellevue Police Department, and I’m excited for our SRT to train with their SWAT teams this year.”
As for the first service members to tryout, Riley said he saw great effort and initiative. Some Airmen saw it as a challenge and an opportunity to enhance their skills and career.
“It’s been pretty grueling – the first day we got smoked,” said Senior Airman Raleigh White, 55th SFS response force leader and National Airborne Operations Center augmentee member. “After we get done with training, I’m just hoping there’s more opportunities to go further.”
- Published
- By Daniel Martinez
- 55th Wing Public Affairs
